Railway signaling.



No. 662,833. Patented Nov. 27, 1900. s. I). swam.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

.jApplication filed Aug. 29, 1891. Renewed June 5, 1900.) (No Model.) 5Sheets-Sheet In ye zzzar'x 0 m fK/W W Mi? u.- NORRIS wz'rsns co,pugvau'ma, WASHINGTON, D'c.

No. 662,833. Patented Nov. 27, I900. S. D. STBDHM.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

Application filed Aug. 29, 1891. Renewed June 5, 1900.) (No Model.) 5Sheets-Sheet 2.

71 5772 eases.

m: NORRIS PETERS co. PHOTO-UTHQ, wAsmNm'cN. D. c

No. 662,833. Patented Nov. 27, I900. S. D. STBUHM.

RAILWAY SlGNALlNG.

(Application filed Aug. 29, 1891. R newed June 5,1900.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

M QNN lhu n Rah ms NoRms PEYERS ca. PHOTO-LITHQ, \usummou, 0 c.

No. 662,833. Patented Nov. 27, I900. S. D. STRUHM.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

(Application filed Aug. 29, 1891. Renewed June 5, 1900.)

(No Model.) 5 SheetsSheet 4.

. Q0 I v N I HLIH I Q I 1 I H R -I I [I s 3 m [h l S K Hm H i i if M [hx Q n] r F Q H-1 ME I;

T T izfne/anz ait' Patented Nov. 27,1900.

S. D. STBOHM. RAILWAY SIGNALING.

(Application filed Aug. 29, 1891. Renewed June 5, 1900.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No model.)

INVENTOR fygNEssESz lilw'rrt; warns a'rnwr which,

SAMUEL D. STROHM, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE STROHMAUTOMATIC ELECTRIC SAFETY BLOCK SYSTEM COMPANY, OF

SAME PLACE.

AlLWAY SIGNALING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662,833, dated November27, 1900; Application filed August 29,1891. Renewed June 5, 1900. SerialNo. 19,171. (No model.)

To an whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL D. STRoHM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain newand useful Improvementsin RailwaySignaling; and I do hereby declare the following stopping the engine ortrain before'it enters upon a block or section of the line of waywhereon the collisions may occur or wherein the open drawbridges orswitches areinclu ded or located, and particularly to that form of thesame wherein the engineis provided with shifting-brushes or equivalentmeans for diverting or changing the generator-current on the engine todifferent sets or pairs of contact-plates at the stations along the lineof way for actuating the station appurtenances as the engine ormotor-car travels either forwardly or backwardly and wherein also theengine is provided with mechanism moved by elevations or inclinesadjacent to the contactplates at the stations and acting in conjunc- 5tion with the electromagnetic devices on the engine to control thepower-supply to the cylinders or motor of the locomotive or motorcar tocontrol its movement. as it passes the stations.

My invention has for its objects a construction of contact plate orplates at the stations which subserve the double purpose of acontactplate for the brushes on the engine or motor-car and also for anelevation or incline 5 for actuating its power-supply-controllingmechanism, a simple and durable construction of contactbrush for theengine, a single shifting-brush on the engine or motor-car for contactwith the plates at the stations or blocks, an apparatus for keeping thecontactplates clean to insure electric contact of the engine or carbrushes as they pass over the plates, an arrangement or location of thestation contact plates along the line of way whereby they are aggregatedin'com pact space and least possible movement for shifting the enginecontact-brushes is required, and an arrangement of circuit connectionsbetween the electromagnetic appurtenances and contact-plates whereby asystem of interlocking the stations to break and restore ground for afollowing or an approaching train is obtained to provide additionalsecurity against collision of trains and danger from open drawbridgesand switches. By such system of interlocking I mean that a train passinga station finds its safety-ground at two stations ahead, breaks suchground for a following or approaching train, and reestablishes orrestores a like broken ground two stations to the rear.

My invention accordingly consists of the combinations, constructions,and arrangements of parts as hereinafter described in the specificationand more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referenceis had to the aocompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is adiagrammatic View of a part of a line of railway equipped with myimprovements, showing a train or car movingin one direction. Fig. 2 is alike view showing the train backing or reversing its direct-ion ofmovement. Fig. 3 is a like view showing two approaching cars or trainson a single-track railway. Fig. tis a plan of track and part of cars,showing preferable location of station contact-plates. relatively to thetracks, irrespective of the location of the plates on the ground or uponpoles or supports above the tracks, and also showing modifications ofbrushes and mode of shifting them. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of adouble-track railway equipped with my improvements and a crossing lineor track unequipped with my improvements, but provided withelectromagnetic devices at the crossing to prevent thereat collision oftrains. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of engine or motor car equippedwith a form of electromagnetic appurtenances, a type ofcontact-plate-cleansing device, and power-controlling mechanismembodying my improvements. Fig. 7 is a plan view, partly sectional,ofactuating mechanism for shifting the brush on the engine. Fig. 8 is asectional front elevation of same. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of brushand part of power-controlling actuating mechanism for the engine, drawnto an enlarged scale. Fig. 10 is an edge View of same. Fig. 11 is anelevation showing modified form of engine-brush frame or support. Fig.12 is a like view of a modified form of brush; and Fig. 13 is anelevation of brush and part of power-controlling mechanism, with anotherform or arrangement of cleansing devices for the contactplates.

A (see more plainly Figs. 6 to 13, inclusive) represents a steam orother locomotive or m0 tor-car, upon which is located a partial circuit1 l, which, as shown, is an open circuit having one end grounded throughthe frame of the engine or car by way of its axles and wheels, asindicated at a.

The circuit 1 1 includes a source of electric supply a and anelectromagnet B, and one terminal leads to a brush 0, located, asdesired, on the engine or motor-car, which brush may be constructed andarranged for operation as desired. A preferable form of same is shownand will be hereinafter described. The armature-lever b for magnet B isshown provided With a retracting-spring b for returning the same to itsnormal position and a limiting-stop b and at its lower end has alatchhead 19 Its upper end engages a lever b of any suitable form,having connection as desired with the throttle, steamport, or othercontrolling valve or fixture b for supplying motive power to the motor,the whistle or alarm b, or the brake-controlling mechanism 5 wherebywhen said lever b is drawn down or suitably actuated the steam or powersupply is cut off from the motor, the alarm or whistle sounded, and thebrakes are applied to stop the train. If desired, lever b may beconnected with the stopping mechanism for the motor-car or train only,in which case the alarm or whistle is not sounded; but I prefer to usethe latter, it gives warning in advance of the train coming to a stateof rest to the trainmen, so that they may at once actuate the usual handdevices to assist in applying the brakes or perform such other duties asare required when the train is signaled danger ahead and before it isstopped. Instead of an aural signal avisual one may be substituted, andthis may be in the form of a lamp D, an electric incandescent or otherone being preferred, and is preferably in a branch or shunt 2 2 from thecircuit 1 l, which shunt is shOWn closed by a switch 61, engaging withor controlled by the armature-lever I), being so arranged that when saidarmature-lever is in its normal position the switch d is in positionclosing circuit 2 2 to display a light, and when drawn down or actuatedto stop the motor-car the switch 61 is moved to open shunt 2 2 and putout the light 0, the putting out of the light indicating danger.Engaging with switch d, if desired, and correspondingly actuated is asemaphoresignal (1, either or both of which may be used in the motor orother cars of the train, as desired.

E represents a moving bar or rod suitably located, as hereinafterdescribed, and has at one end a shoe or wheel 6 and a reacting spring orother device 6' for returning the rod to its normal position. Said rodis provided with a latch-head 6 which is in line with the latchhead 19on lever 17 when it is not attracted by magnets B. The brush C is offlexible or spring metal, having an upwardly-curved free end 0, and issecured at its other end 0, Fig. 9, to a bracket rod or support 0pivotally connected at o to a standard or bar 0, so as to move oroscillate on its pivot-point in either direction of the movement of thetrain. The standard 0 has its bearings in a block 0 and is provided witha pressure-spring c, which acts to exert its force in the direction ofthe line of contact-pressure of the brush C. The swinging movement ofthe brush 0 and its support 0 in eitherdirection is limited by stops 0on a bracket 6 secured to or forming part of block 0 (See more plainlyFig. 9.) The stops 0 for brush-support 0 may be fixed, as shown in Figs.6 and 9, or movable or adjustable, as indicated in Fig. 11, and in whichsaid stops are shown mounted upon arms depending from the block 0 In thebracket 6" and block a the rod E is mounted so as to slide therein, thewheel or shoe for said rod being preferably to the rear of brush (J.

The block o carrying the brush 0 and the rod E, has a sliding motion inits bearings in the floor of the cab or other suitable or desiredsupport or frame a and has a connection f, Fig. 7, with a pivotedleverf, having at one end a fingerf engaging a worm, cam, or equivalentdevice f on an axle of the en gine or motor-oar, so that as said axlerevolves in different directions as the engine or train advances orbacks the fingerf is actuated or moved from end to end of the worm f tooseillate leverf for sliding or shifting the block 0 to correspondinglyshift the brush 0 and rod shoe or wheel 6 into or out of the line orpath of two sets of differently-located but preferably parallelcontact-plates G G G G located along the line of way, as and for purposes hereinafter set forth.

The lever f is provided on each side with springs f having attached endrods f with suitable heads f mounted in bearings f so that as said leveris shifted from side to side either of the springsf acts to maintain apres sure upon the rod in adirection the opposite 'of that in which itis shifted to hold the finger backward motion or reversely. The use ofthe sliding rods f with beads f for springs f instead of the sliding rodwith long springs f as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, admits of the use ofshort lengths of springs and less opening or straining of their coils,thereby rendering them more durable.

To keep the contact-plates G G G G clean for insuring good electricalcontact between them and the brush 0, a pipe connection h from thesteam-supply dome or compressedair supply for the brakes is made, havinga cut-off valve h, controlled by the movements of the rod E or eitherthe brush support or frame 0 or 0 respectively, through the medium of alever 72. in engagement with the stem of valve h, as shown in Figs. 6,9, or

13. The nozzle 72, of pipe his located adjacent to brush C, as desired,and it may be fixed in position to the engine-frame or other support, asshown in Fig. 6, in which case said nozzle is bifurcated or split tostraddle two lines of contact-plates, (see Fig. 1,) or it may be mountedin sliding block 0 as indicated in Fig. 13, so as to move therewith, andin this case it has only one outlet, and the pipe it has a swing jointor connection in its line or length to admit of such shifting of thenozzle with the brush 0 and bar-wheel or shoe 6. The support or bracket0 for brush 0, if desired, may consist of a bar of spring or flexiblemetal, as shown in Fig. 12, in which case the pivotal connection betweenthe parts 0 and c is dispensed with, and, if desired, tworeversely-located brushes may be secured to support 0 as indicated inFig. 12. The contact-plates G G are shown configured as inclines orelevations for actuating bar E in one direction, its weight or spring 6or both together returning it to its normal position. The wheel or shoe0 rides on the plates G G at the same time that the brush 0 contactstherewith. It the engine partial circuit 1 1 has a ground by Way ofeither of said plates, as hereinafter set forth, the magnets Bin circuitl 1 attract arnmtnre-lever b and hold it out of the path of thelatchhead on rod E as it ascends or moves under the influence of theelevations or-inclines on said plates, and the engine or car is notstopped. If, however, such ground is not obtained by way of said platesG G the magnets B do not attract armaturelever b and it remains in thepath of latch-head e of rod E, and as it descends or returns to itsnormal position it moves the armature-lever Z) and in turn the lever bto stop the engine or car and put out the lamp D and sound or displayeither signal b or d, as hereinbefore stated.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, the plates G G and G G areillustrated as located on each side of one of the rails of a track, theplates G G being on the outside and the plates G on the inside of saidrail. This arrangement of the plates with the use of the oscillatingshifting lever f necessitates the employment of two shiftingleversf anda corresponding n umber of brushes 0 and bars E and an additional set ofplates G G G G similarly located relatively to a rail for the other railof the track, as indicated by dotted lines CC, Fig. l, in order that nomatter in what direction the head or front of the engine or inctor-earpasses onto the track it will have a brush contact with a line of platesas it advances and in backing or reversing. When a sliding shifting-baris used, indicated to the leftof Fig. 4, only one shifting device withtwo brushes need be used. To avoid the d uplication of said parts Iprefer to locate said plates between the tracks, as indicated in Fig. t,in which case only one brush G and bar E on a single shifting-lever arenecessary.

At the termini of each block or section or at any points or locations asdesired along the line of way in conjunction with a set ofcontact-plates G G and G G atsuch point or locationv are suitablysupported electromagnetic appurtenances in open circuits 3 3 and 4 i.The type of such appurtenances shown consists of two magnets K K, havingarmature-levers it h, respectively, provided with retracting-springs andstops k and located at right angles to one anothe iy'the one having alatch-head 7.3 for interlocking with the other to hold the same in theirnormal positions when not attracted, as indicated at station No. a, Fig.1, the stations in the figures being numbered for convenience ofdescription and reference.

A set of plates G G and G G in the form of improvements shown is used ateach electromagnetic station along the line. On double-track railways(see Fig. 5) there is one set of such plates for each track at suchstations, a pair of each set being for the enginebrush to contact withwhen traveling forwardly and the other pair for said brush to contactwith when the engine backs or reverses its direction of travel, andthereby control or guard it or the train against collisions or dangerfrom open drawbridges or'switches when travelingin anydirection. Onsingletrack railways (see more plainly Fig. 3) a set of plates at eachstation answers for the advancing and reversing movementsof trains orengines traveling in either direction.

The plates G G are used for completing the grounds of the partialcircuit on the engine or train and at the stations to cause theirincluded magnets to actuate or attract their armatures and preventstoppingthe train or engine,therebyindicating safety and at the sametime breaking such ground for the station partial circuit for thefollowii'ig train, until such circuit is restored by contact ofengine-brush with plates G G Two pairs of plates G G and G G" of a setare oppositely located, as shownthat is to say, the plate G is in frontof the plate G, while the plate G which corresponds to plate G, is inadvance of plate G which corresponds to plate G. This reversal of theplates is provided to admit of controlling the trains or engines inreversing or backing. The plates G G are included in thestation-circuits 3 3 and the plates G G in the corresponding circuits 44. The circuits are arranged relativelyto the station appurtenances andto the plates that the engine or train brush 0 passing a station andsuccessively contacting with a pair of the plates thereat finds groundat a station two blocks ahead, breaks such ground at such distantstation for a following train, and restablishes or restores ground at astation two blocks or sta tions to the rear for indicating safety forfollowing trains, th us securing interlocking of stations or blocksahead as well as to the rear of a train, and thereby affordingadditional security against danger from collisions, open switches, ordrawbridges, and this interlocking of blocks or stations ahead as wellas to the rear of a train is effected when the engine or train isbacking as well as when advancing, for the reason that as the engine ortrain reverses its direction of motion it automatically shifts the brush0 and rod E from the line of the pairs of contact-plates G G to that ofthe plates G G From each plate G for a stationfor instance, for stationNo. 1, Fig. 1-a circuit 3 3 leads directly to the magnets K of stationNo. 3, thence to contact-post n, thence to spring or movable plate 97.,normally contacting with post it, as indicated at station No. 4:, toground 97. for trains traveling in direction of arrow 1, the free end ofplate at normally being in impingement with or in the path of the freeend of armature-lever K, so that when the latter is retracted by itsspring it raises plate n from post n to break ground n for such circuit3 3. Each plate G for each stationfor instance, station No. 3, Fig. 1hasa corresponding circuit 3 3 with magnets K and to ground n of stationNo. 1 for trains backing or moving in the direction the reverse of arrow1, or, as shown by arrow 2, Fig. 2, such last-named circuit 3 3 being adivided or split circuit from the circuit 3 3, leading from station No.lto the contact-plate G at the station two blocks to the rearforinstance, as from station No. 3 to station No. 1. The magnets K and itsground n for each station has therefore a split or divided circuit, onepart 3 3 leading to a plate G for contact with brushes on trains orengines moving in one direction and the other part 3 3 leading to aplate G for corresponding contact with trains or engines moving in anopposite direction, said plates G G being located at different stationsdistant two blocks or stations away from the station Whose magnet K iscontrolled by such plates, one of said distant stations being to therear and the other in advance of such station-magnet so controlled. Theplates G and G are correspondingly included in divided or splitcircuit-s4 at for magnets K and ground 02 of the stations, as shown forreestablishing or restoring ground n for magnets K at each station.

senses The effect whereof is that when a train or engine travels oradvances in the direction of arrow 1 and arrives at a stationforinstance, station No. 1, Fig.1-its brush 0 first contacts with plate G,as shown, finds ground through circuit 3 3 and magnets K at station No.3, the magnets K and engine-magnets B attract their armatures. Hence thebar E on the engine riding up said plate G does not engage armature b ofmagnets B, as the same is attracted out of the path of bar E and thetrain is not stopped, as the finding of such ground indicates safety orthat the track between the stations Nos. 1 and 3 is clear.

As soon as brush C passes off of plate G the armature 7c of magnets K atstation No. 3 is retracted and moves plate 01 off of stop or post it, asindicated at stations Nos. 1 and 2 in Fig. 1, which have been previouslycorrespondingly actuated to break ground n for the circuits 3 3 for eachof such stations, and in so moving the latch-head k of armaturelever 7tpasses into position below and in front of the inclined face of thelower end of armature-lever 7a. A following train or engine arriving atany one of said stations having the ground for its circuits 3 3 sobroken finds no ground. The magnets B on the engine do not then attractthe armature b and its latchhead b is then in the path of the moving rodE, and the latter in falling or returning to its normal position engagesthe latch-head b and moves lever 19 and in turn lever 12 to out off thesteam or power supply for the motor, blow the whistles, and apply theair-brakes, or to display either or both the visual signals D d. Whenthe engine-brush 0 contacts with plate G of a station-for instance,station No. 3 of Fig. 2the circuit4 4 from such plate of station No. 3,Fig. 2, is closed through the engine and the magnet K at station No. lattracts its armature 7t, causing it to press or move down the armature7c of magnet K until its inclined end engages with or locks itself infront of the latch-head k on armature K to lock the latter in positionand permit the plate n to contact with post it for restoring the ground02 for circuits 3 3 for said station. Should an engine or train movingin the direction of arrow 1 reverse its direction of motion or gobackward, the reverse rotation of worm f through the medium of finger foscillates lever f to slide block 0 and shift brush 0 and bar E out ofthe line of contact of plates G G into that of plates G G as indicatedin Fig. 2, and in going backward in direction of arrow 2 the brush 0contacts first with plate G to make ground through circuit 3 3 of astation two blocks to the rearfor instance, from station No. 4: tostation No. 2-to actuate magnets K at the latter to break such ground tostop a train arriving at such station and moving in the direction ofarrow 1.

The foregoing results described are obtained on a single as well as on adouble track railway, (see Fig. 3,) which shows two engines A A orbrushes 0 therefore traveling in opposite d irect ions and approachingeach other, and either engine may be reversed or hacked and iscorrespondingly controlled.

From the foregoing it will be noted that an engine or train moving ineither direction of travel finds ground two stations ahead of a stationat which it contacts with plates G G breaks such ground, andreestablishes or restores such ground two stations to the rear forfollowing or approaching trains, and hence greater security in bothdirections of travel is obtained; that only one engine-brush is neededfor all the contact-plates; that such brush is movable betweenlimiting-stops as it contacts with a plate whereby all shocks ofconcussion of the brush with said plates are avoided; that such brushhas a downward spring-pressure independent of the brush, or any inherentspring-pressure of its own whereby a more forcible and better electriccontact between it and the platesis obtained; that part of the motivepowerviz., steam, air, or other analogous medium-As employed forcleaning the contact-plates simultaneously with the contact of theengine-brush therewith; that a contact-plate serves foran incline orelevation for actuating the powersupply-controlling mechanism on theengine, and that these plates are preferably located between the trackseither on the ground or elevated on poles or supports, the brush 0 beinglocated to suit such positions of contact-plates.

The stations may be provided with electriclight signals p in a separatecircuit, which is shown normally closed, as indicated at station No. 4:,Fig. l, and opened by a switch 19', actuated by armature-lever k orother suitable moving part in a station, but controlled by the movementof armature 7.2, so that when the latter is actuated to break the ground02 for a circuit 3 3 of a station the movement of lever 7r will actuateswitch 19 to open the circuit 6 6 and put out the lamp p, the absence ofsuch light indicating danger. If desired, a semaphore-signal p similarlyactuated, may be employed in addition to lampp or in conjunctiontherewith, or such semaphore-signal 19 may be actuated directly by thearmature It, as indicated at stations Nos. 1 and 4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows a double track railway equipped with myiinprovements uponthe interlocking system herein described, and a crossing line or tracksT T equipped with local battery open circuits 8 8 and l0 10, includingmagnet T with ground 9, armaturet with ground 12, and stop If for saidarmature in circuit, with wire 13 leading to separate additionalcontact-plates G at the stations of the equipped line adjoining thecrossing, said open local circuits being bridged or closed by the wheelsand axles of a passing train on the equipped road to break the ground 12for the contact-plates G, such ground being restored after said trainpasses.

The arrangement of contact-plates with separate inclines or elevationsfor rod E is shown in Fig. 5 instead of the contacuplates with integralelevations or inclines for the purpose of showing that the same can bein circuit to have the interlocking controlling feature for the trainsboth in advancingand in backing in any direction and not in onedirection only.

I do not herein limit myself to the constructions and arrangements ofthe novel features shown and set forth, as the same may be variedgreatly without departing from the spirit of the invention, nor do Iconfine myself to the constructions and arrangements of the well-knownfeatures herein shown and described for use in connection with myimproven'ients, as it is obvious that such features will be disposed ofor constructed as the requirements of the service demand.

It will be noted from the foregoing that the two sets of plates G G andG G, respectively, are not only oppositely located, but that the partialcircuit connections for one set of plates leading to distant ahead andrear stations have a direction the opposite for such connections for theother set of plates. It is this provision of oppositely-located sets ofplates and circuit connections that admit of the engine or train beingcontrolled in its forward and backward motions. It will be also notedthat only one set of magnetic devices is employed for each track at eachstation.

What I claim is- 1. In a railway signaling system, the combination ofstation electromagnetic devices, two series of pairs of contact-platesarranged along the line of way and parallel therewith, the plates ofeach pair extending end to end, connections between said plates and thestation electromagnetic devices, an engine or car, alaterally-adjustable frame carried thereby, means for adjustin saidframe, a brush elastically mounted in said frame and making contact witheither of said series of plates, and circuitconnections for said brush,substantially as described.

2. In a railway signaling system, the combination of stationelectromagnetic devices, to each of which extend two partial circuitsfrom contact-plates in the front and rear thereof, one of said circuitsbeing permanently grounded and the other having a ground which is brokenby the operation of the permanently-grounded circuit, two series ofpairs of contact-plates to which said partial circuits are connected,the plates of each pair extending end to end, an engine or car, and abrush carried thereby and adjust able laterally to engage either seriesof contact-plates, substantially as described.

3. An engine'ormotor-carhavinga partial circuit including a source ofelectrical supply, a contact-brush, power-controlling mechanism, aseparate closed lamp or signal circuit including an electric switchunder the control of said power-controlling mechanism, and a visualsignal under the control of said electric switch, substantially asdescribed.

4. An engine provided with a movable or shifting contact-brush, amovable or shift ing injection pipe or nozzle adjacent to and in linewith said brush and having communicat-ion with the steam-supply, andmeans for shifting both the brush and injection-pipe together,substantially as described.

5. In an engine, the combination of a brush 0, pipe h, having valve hand nozzle 72. sliding rod E, and the lever b connecting the rod E andvalve 77/, substantially as described.

6. The combination of track electrical contact-plates, an engine havinga shifting contact-brush for said plates, a shifting steam or airejector nozzle provided with a cut-off, devices operated by the backwardand forward movements of the engine for shifting said brush andejector-nozzle together, and mechanism for said cut-off actuated duringthe contact of said brush and a plate, to eject a blast of air or steamon the plate, substantially as described.

'7. An engine having a movable support 0 an electrical contact-brush O,a verticallymoving bar E, and a pipe h adjacent to and in line withbrush O, mounted on said support, a normally-closed cut-off for saidpipe h, and means for opening said pipe h when the brush 0 makes anelectrical contact with a contact-plate, substantially as described.

8. In combination with a line of contactplates located at intervalsalong the line of way of a railroad, an engine having a contactbrush anda steam pipe or nozzle adjacent to and in line with said brush, anormally-closed cut-off in said steam-pipe, and means for automaticallyopening said cut-01f when the brush makes contact with said plates,substantially as described.

9. A railway having station electromag netic devices in partial circuitsand having contact-plates, and an engine or train having electromagneticdevices in a partial circuit with contact-brushes for said plates, meansfor controlling the power-supply for the engine or train in connectionwith devices automatically controlled by the forward and backward motionof the engine or train for automatically controlling the movement of thetrain or engine as it passes the stations in either direction of itsmovements, substantially as described.

10. A railway having station partial circuits including electromagneticdevices and contact-plates, and engines having partial circuitsincluding electromagnetic devices and contact-brushes for said plates,power-- supply mechanism controlled by said electromagnetic devices onthe engine, and devices automatically controlled by the motion of thetrain or engine and all arranged to operate to control the forward andbackward movements of the engine or train as it passes a station,substantially as described.

11. A railway provided with station partial circuits includingelectromagnetic devices and two sets of contact-plates and an engine ortrain having partial circuits with electromagnetic devices andcontact-brushes for said plates, devices automatically controlled by theforward and backward motion of the en gine or train for changing theelectrical contact of said brushes with said plates, substantially asdescribed.

12. In a railway, track-contacts therefor, an engine or train havingcontact-brushes and devices automatically controlled by the backward andforward movements of the engine or train for changing the electrical contact of said brushes with respect to the trackcontacts, substantially asdescribed.

13. An engine ortrain having shiftable contact-brushes and mechanismcontrolled by the forward and backward motions of the engine or trainfor automatically shifting said brushes when the engine reverses itsdirection of travel, substantially as described.

14. A railway having station electromagnetic devices, two separateparallel circuits for said devices, one of which circuits is alwaysgrounded, and the other is normally grounded and adapted to be broken,two sepa' rate sets of contact-plates for said station electromagneticdevices, a brush carried on the engine or car and making contact witheither of said sets of plates, and automatic means controlled by themovements of the engine or car for shifting said brush to either of saidsets of contact-plates, substantially as described.

15. A railway-station provided with two or more magnets, partialcircuits and contact plates located adjacent to the tracks, a train orengine having a partial circuit, magnetic devices, power-controllingmechanism, contact-brushes, and mechanism controlled by the forward andbackward movements of the engine or train for changing the contact ofsaid brushes, substantially as described.

16. A railway-station provided with magnets having interlockingarmatures, partial circuits and contact-plates, and an engine or trainhaving a partial circuit, magnetic devices, power-controlling mechanism,con tactbrushes and devices controlled by the forward and backwardmotion of the engine or train for changing the contact of said brushes,substantially as described.

1'7. A locomotive or train provided with a battery or generator circuit,one or more contact-brush circuit connections between said source ofelectrical power and brushes, and mechanism controlled by the forwardand backward movements of the locomotive or train forautomaticallychanging the contact of said brushes, substantially asdescribed.

18. The combination with a locomotive or train, of an electromagnet andarmature, an electrical generator, a lever having connection with thepower-supply of the locomotive and the brakes and which is alsoconnected IIO to said armature and designed and adapted to be moved bymechanism on the engine, which mechanism is actuated by elevations orinclines along the railway, brushes on said engine and devices under thecontrol of the forward and backward movement of the locomotive or trainfor changing or diverting the current of said electric generator as thetrain or engine reverses its direction of travel, substantially asdescribed.

19. The combination ofa railway having two sets of oppositely-locatedcontact-plates, circuit 13 connecting therewith, the said circuitincluding stop 1?, movable circuit-closer t, and a ground connection, acrossing line of railway having its tracks in an open circuit includinga generator and magnet controlling said movable circuit-closer t, andclosed by a passing train, and contact-brushes on said train,substantially as described.

20 In a system of railway signaling, the combination of electromagneticdevices, a brush carried by the engine or car, two series ofcontact-plates in the line of way with either of which said brush makescontact to complete a circuit to actuate said electromagnetic devices,automatic means controlled by the movements of the engine or car forshifting the brush to either of the series of contact-plates, anelectric lamp-signal controlled by said electromagnetic devices, and asource of electric supply for said signal, substantially as described.

21. In a system of railway signaling, the combination of electromagneticdevices, a brush carried by the engine or car, two series ofcontact-plates in the line of way with either of which said brush makescontact to complete a circuit to actuate said electromagnetic devices,automatic means controlled by the movements of the engine or car forshifting the brush to/either of the series of contact-plates, apartialcircuit in the engine or car connected with said brush, anelectric lamp-signal in said partial circuit, and a source of electricsupply for said signal, substantially as described.

22. In combination with electromagnetic station appurtenances for arailway, two series of contact-plates connected with said stationappurtenances, a lamp-signal at each station controlled by said stationappurtenances, a brush carried on the engine or car and making contactwith either series of contactplates to operate said appurtenances, andautomatic means controlled by the movements of the engine or car forshifting the brush to either of the series of contact-plates,substantially as described.

23. In a railway, station electromagnetic devices, contact-plates,circuit connections, and an engine or motor-car, a brush thereon, meansautomatically actuated by the reverse movements of the engine forshifting said brush, electromagnetic devices, and circuit connections,substantially as described.

24. A railway having station electromagnetic devices in partialcircuits, two sets of oppositely-arranged contact-plates atdifferently-located stations and included directly in said circuits, anengine or train having partial circuits and a contact-brusl1,andmechanism automatically controlled by the forward and backward motion ofthe engine for shifting said brush for different lines of saidcontact-plates, substantially as described.

25. A railway having station electromagnetic devices, two sets ofoppositely-located contact plates and circuit connections arranged todirectly interlock said plates and magnetic devices, and an engine,motor-car or train having a partial circuit with a contact-brushautomatically controlled by the forward and backward motion of theengine and adapted to be shifted for contact with different lines ofsaid contact-plates, substantially as described.

26. In a railway, contact-plates therefor, an engine or motor-car, acontact-brush thereon, motive-power-controlling devices, means under thecontrol of the forward and backward movements of the engine forautomaticallyshifting said brush, and controlling devices in relation tosaid contact-plates, substantially as described.

27. In an engine or motor-car, a contactbrush, motive powercontrollingdevices, a sliding support for said brush and device, and mechanism forautomatically shifting said support when the direction of travel of theengine or car is reversed, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL D. STROHM.

Witnesses:

CHAS. F. VAN HORN, R. W. VAN STAVOREN.

